The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-10-11
A Knight Can't Be an Anarchist.
A Resolution Read Sympathizing
with Chicago's Doomed.
Grand Master Workman Powderly
Declares It Out of Order.
An Appeal Taken but It is Over.
whelmingly Defeated.
Leaves the Chair and op-
poses Such an Expression in a
Hot Speech-Labor Party
Movements.


MINNEAPOLIS, Mimi, Oct. 10.-There
was only one session Of the Knights Of
Labor general assembly today, When
that was called to order, at o'clock pm,
il was found that the committees, for
whose accommodation the long recess was
taken, were not yet ready to report. They
were granted further time, and the con-
vention, taking up miscellaneous business,
an opportunity was presented for bringing
up the long looked for anarchy discussions.
James Il. Quinn, OF district assembly No.
40, Of New York, the famous "kicker" and
Home club man, presented the following
resolution under suspension Of the rules;
considering that the development Of
the human mind in the nineteenth century
has reached point expressed almost
universally against capital punishment or
taking C! GGiuan llie by Judicial process as
an act of barbarism; therefore, be IL
Resolved, That this convention eN-
press sorrow that the men in Chicago were
doomed 10 death, and that it use every en-
deavor TO secure the commutation OF the
sentence OF death passed upon them"
The convention was at once thrown into
the widest excitement, scores OF delegates
trying at the same time TO obtain the floor
General Master Workman Powderly de-
cided the resolution out OF order. Joseph
Evans, OF Pittsburg, appealed from the
decision. The appeal was lost by n vote
OF l5l TO u. Before the appeal was taken,
Mr.. Powdcrly called General Worthy
Foreman Grilliths, Of Chicago, TO the chair,
and in short but vehement speech called
upon the convention 10 defeat the resolu-
tion. lie said no true knight could be an
anarchist. lie appealed TO the delegates in
impassioned words not 10 prevent the pur-
poses OF the order by the passage OF any
such resolutions. II was the hottest speech
powdcrly was ever known TO make. Quinn,
whe Offered the resolution, voted aye on
the appeal in order TO move rcconsidcra-
ton. r. II. lawry, of PENNSYLVANIA, also
made n warm speech and was followed 10y
a number OF othcr. This was the prinDi.
pal episode of a rather quiet day
just after the call to order at Q o'clock,
resolutions on the death OF u. $. Heath,
the Chicago editor, who was long nsso.
ciatcd with Thomas Armstrong, Of Penn.
sylvania, were adopted.
The general executive board held a So.
crct session in the West hotel which lasted
all the forenoon. The general opinion
amone the delegates today IL that no So,
ri0us fight will come up now before the
session closes its work. A sharp discus.
sion il likely 10 occur over the law govern
ing the national trade districts. II is said
that the trade district delegates will ask
that the law bc changed materially, 30 ~
90 give them more power. This request
will bc opposed, and very strongly, too, 10y
the delegates representing the mixed dis.
tricts. a. the demands OF the former would
In measure tend to utterly destroy the
power uf the latter. The fight that Il was
supposed would be made against Powder.
| Is and the other general officers is said to
have been given up.
A prominent eastern delegate said on
/ this matter this morning "Ihc delegates
| who came here 10 fight Powdcrly and
some of the other general officers have
pulled in their horns. The inct that they
could find nothing Ia base q fight on ha.
greatly dcmoulizcd them. They will moi
now demand that the convention do n.
they ask on various legislative matters, bul
will instead request that they get what
! they ask without fight